Today we’d like to introduce you to Hunter Franqui.
Hi Hunter, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
If we’re talking TV, it all started for me at Cypress Bay High School in Weston. In my sophomore year in high school, I was in a TV production class that was the stereotypical watch TV and movies and then talk about the course. We had a morning announcement and a show occasionally produced for Fridays called, “The Friday Show.”
The following year, Kurt Doster became the new TV teacher and launched our old news desk into the courtyard destroying it. This was a symbol of what he thought of our work thus far and he was prepared to launch us into a real program. Next thing I know, I’m president of what is now CBTV, I’m competing and winning across the state and country in TV production competitions, and I’m hosting our renamed show “The Aftershock.”
During my time at CBHS and with CBTV, I was exposed to professional broadcasting experience at a high school. Most colleges don’t have the level of production that Kurt provided us at that time. We were producing 20-minute programming, live broadcasts, morning shows, and more in 2007-2009.
Kurt worked for the Miami Heat at that time as a camera operator and is now the Director of Arena Video Production for the Miami Heat. As for me, I began working part-time at the Miami HEAT and freelance for ESPN at 17 immediately after graduating. I like to joke that I was signed the same year as LeBron. He got $16 million a year and I got $9/hr, but we both got two rings, so I’ll take it!
I went to college locally at Broward College and FIU despite having the opportunity to attend more prestigious schools. I valued the work experience far more than schooling and still do.
Eventually, I found my way to WPLG as a producer/editor before graduating college. I saw this as my master’s program at the time, but found an opportunity to be on air with Chef Michelle Bernstein’s SoFlo TASTE as a contributor in 2015. I joined the Miami Dolphins as a technical director and replay operator in 2016. After a few years of appearing on SoFlo TASTE every other week, working for the Dolphins, Heat, and WPLG I was looking to host my show about lifestyle.
The station was looking to launch a show about health to follow up their recently launched home design show, SoFlo HOME PROJECT. Eventually, my pitches for a lifestyle show were blended with the idea of this health show, and SoFlo HEALTH was born in 2018.
I believe health is more than just doctors, prescriptions, and medical treatments, so we added fitness, lifestyle, nutrition and so much more to the show. Lucky for me, health and wellness was a personal passion, so the show’s subject matter was a perfect fit!
Now, we’re at over 250 shows, over 1500 features, and no signs of slowing down. I still work with the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, and others in more of those producer/director roles, and love all of the work I do.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a smooth road learning along the way because I love to learn and I have had wonderful people around me throughout my career.
I’m a big believer in surrounding yourself with supportive people and people who will challenge you to do your best. Without a doubt, the Miami HEAT is the organization that I’ve been affiliated with that has held me to the highest standard. They push hard there, but if you can hang, you’ll grow fast.
WPLG is a big family atmosphere. Creative Services, my department, is the epitome of that. I am blessed to work with talented, creative, fun, and caring people who make work a second home.
The biggest difficulty I have faced in this business is uncertainty. Life is uncertain in general, but this business is particularly uncertain. It’s not a linear path at all, and it’s demanding on your health and personal life if you aren’t careful. Subjecting yourself to be on-air is a big risk of its own, but I take the attitude that all I can do is be me.
Thankfully, I have a wonderfully supportive family both in my personal and professional life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I host a TV show called SoFlo HEALTH.
It’s a health, wellness, and lifestyle magazine show that features everything from the latest workouts, nutrition trends, and medical advancements to fun things to do in the area. Outside of that I produce, technically direct, and run replay for Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Inter Miami, and my free-lance productions.
I specialize in communicating. Whether I am the one in front of the camera, writing a script, running a replay, or punching cameras up on a videoboard – my skillset is communication and storytelling. I’m most proud of entertaining others and making them feel comfortable.
For example, I go out on shoots many times a week – sometimes twice a day for four days at a time. I’m very used to being around cameras, speaking, and helping others share their story. Most people are not that way. So, when I go on a shoot – my main goal is for the subject to have a good experience and feel as though their story was told effectively.
A lot of producers and talent come with their own goals, agenda, or angle on a feature.
What sets me apart in this part of the business is my philosophy. I believe for me to look good, be better, and grow – I have to provide all of that to you in the subject. If you look great on TV, so do I. Plus, if you have a great time, you’ll probably tell others to watch as well!
I find that most people have the content, story, or information in them – they just need help saying it concisely and comfortably. Lucky for us, our whole crew creates a fun and inviting environment for making TV magic happen.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I don’t believe anything MAKES me happy. I choose to be happy.
That may be nauseating to hear, but that’s what I believe.
Of course, I enjoy many things like nature, animals, family, friends, and doing what I love at work. But, I think if you focus on what you have or don’t have you create unhappiness.
My recipe for happiness is to take life as it comes, be grateful for what and who I have, and decide to make the most meaningful life around me while I’m here. Happiness comes from decision and finding meaning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hunterfranqui.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterfranqui/
